After winning four consecutive 6A titles, Jesuit's girls golf team faced a rebuilding year in 2024.
The Crusaders didn't slip too far, though, finishing third in the state tournament behind champion Lake Oswego and Metro League rival Sunset.
“That was a great achievement for us,” coach Michele Gray said.
This season, Jesuit is bidding to reclaim the top spot. The Crusaders return their lineup intact, including last year's 6A medalist in senior Kate Lee.
“We have high expectations,” Gray said. “Given the talent we have, we feel like we're right in there in a competitive space with the top teams in the state. We have four, potentially five strong players. The challenge for us is to get them to all play well on the same day.”
Jesuit started the season on a positive note Monday by taking first place in a Metro League match at Quail Valley Golf Club. The Crusaders outscored reigning league champion Sunset 341-361 for first place, although the Apollos were missing one of their top players in junior Shravya Kumar (illness).
“They were solid,” Gray said of her players. “There's work to be done, but lots of promise. I feel like we've just got to get our feet on the ground.”
Jesuit's scoring Monday came from seniors Cecili Hayes (third-83) and Lee (fourth-84) and sophomores Milla Patel (fifth-85) and Amelia Kim (seventh-89). Sunset senior Erika Kobayashi and Mountainside sophomore Kristine Shin tied for first at 5-over 79.
The Crusaders are counting on another strong season from Lee, who has committed to play at Wellesley College. In last year's state tournament at Trysting Tree Golf Club, Lee shot a two-day total of 141 to win by one stroke.
“She's a senior, so she's got a lot on her plate,” Gray said. “She just needs to lock in, get her mind around golf. And she absolutely will, we have no doubt. She'll put the work in. She's such a good role model for out other athletes. They will follow her lead.”
Sunset earned the Metro League's automatic berth to state last year, but Jesuit claimed its state spot by winning a regional qualifying tournament. Lee, Patel, Hayes and Kim were the Crusaders' top four seeds last season and are likely to hold those spots this season, although the order may shuffle.
“On any given day, they all could be one or four,” Gray said. “We really feel like they can challenge each other. If they can support each other, they can all medal at state.”
To compete in the tough Metro, Jesuit will need high-caliber play.
“There will be kids in our league in the 70s routinely,” Gray said. “It would be good for a few of ours to be in that place, too. That said, we don't complain about low 80s.”
Notes: North Eugene senior Francesca Tomp, the three-time reigning 5A champion, shot a 5-over 77 to win the eight-team Siuslaw Invitational on Tuesday at Florence Golf Links. Roseburg freshman Lana Silvestri (82) and North Eugene freshman Dakota Davis (91) were next. North Eugene and Sheldon shot 374 and 395, respectively, to lead the team scores. …
Salem Academy, last year's 4A/3A/2A/1A champion, dominated a Special District 3 tournament Monday at McNary Golf Club. The Crusaders outscored runner-up Harrisburg 355-449 behind the top three placers in junior Alexandra Willcoxen (84) and sophomores Ellie Gladow (87) and Chloe Johnston (88). All three placed in the top 13 at state last year. …
Clackamas sophomore Jessi Tantog, who tied for seventh in the 6A tournament as a freshman, led the Cavaliers to first place in a Mt. Hood Conference match Tuesday at Stone Creek Golf Club. She shot a 6-over 78 to win by 10 strokes over Nelson junior Leilani Hanna. Clackamas outscored runner-up Nelson 372-395 behind Tantog, freshman Isla Barnes (third-93), senior Jaydin DiGregorio (fifth-99) and sophomore Polyxeni Gustafson (tied for seventh-102).
jerryu@osaa.org
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